VITRO Santa Rosa, Now TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certified

VITRO Inc., the pioneer in hyperscale-grade data centers in the Philippines, announced that VITRO Santa Rosa (VSR) is now TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certified, confirming its concurrently maintainable design with no single point of failure. The certification was awarded following a rigorous audit conducted by EPI (Enterprise Products Integration), a globally accredited certification body for data center standards.

Inaugurated last April 2025 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., VSR is the country's first AI-ready hyperscale data center. The 50-megawatt facility, located in Laguna's thriving tech corridor, is carrier-neutral and fully integrated into the country's domestic fiber network and global submarine cable systems. It is purpose-built to support the mission-critical operations of local and global enterprises, hyperscalers, AI platforms, and the public sector.

The TIA-942 Certification is administered by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and is globally recognized as an industry benchmark for telecommunications data centers. It provides a detailed design specification for a highly available, secure, and well-connected facility designed to meet today's most demanding IT assurance requirements.

Achieving the Rated 3 Facility Certification means VSR conforms to the stringent standards of ANSI/TIA-942 guidelines, ensuring that any data center component — including major apparatus and equipment — can be removed, replaced, or repaired without disrupting the operations of its customers. The design guidelines emphasize redundancy in data center infrastructure to secure high availability during both unplanned maintenance and infrastructure expansion.

"This certification is a testament to VITRO's commitment to delivering infrastructure that global enterprises and hyperscalers can trust. VSR was designed from the ground up to meet the most exacting international standards, and this certification affirms that the Philippines is ready to compete on the world stage as a premier digital hub," said Victor S. Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT and VITRO Inc.

VITRO data centers, including VITRO Santa Rosa, are engineered to sustain a minimum of 72 hours of continuous operations through generator systems and fuel reserve, among the highest levels of operational resilience in the country. This reinforces VITRO’s commitment to delivering high-availability infrastructure, purpose-built for high availability and business continuity.

With TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certification now secured, VSR continues to raise the bar for data center excellence in Southeast Asia, supporting the Philippines' ambition to become a leading regional hub for digital innovation and investment.

Ragnarok Origin Classic’s “Sakura Vows” Update Redefines MMORPG Romance with a Player-First Approach

While many modern MMORPGs continue to monetize progression through stat-based upgrades and pay-to-win mechanics, Ragnarok Origin Classic (ROOC) is taking a refreshing step in a different direction. With the launch of the “Sakura Vows” update on April 24, publisher Gravity Game Vision reinforces its commitment to a social-first gameplay experience—one where connection, not power, drives engagement.

At the heart of the update is a fully realized marriage system that returns to what made MMORPG relationships meaningful in the first place: shared adventures and memorable moments. Unlike traditional wedding systems tied to stat bonuses or premium currency advantages, ROOC ensures that marriage remains purely social. This aligns with the game’s long-standing promise to players: grow with Monthly Pass only, without introducing hidden progression shortcuts.

The update introduces three wedding ceremony tiers, each offering a unique visual presentation but identical gameplay stats. The most accessible option, the Eternal Contract Wedding, costs only 999,999 Eden Coins, making it available to nearly every adventurer without requiring real-money purchases. Meanwhile, the Sakura Oath Wedding and Beyond the Stars Wedding offer expanded ceremony animations, themed outfits, mounts, and cosmetic collectibles—but still no gameplay advantage. It’s a clear message from the developers: romance should never depend on spending power.

Adding even more depth, the new Wedding Renewal feature allows couples to celebrate their ceremony again at minimal cost, inviting guildmates and friends to relive the occasion. Rather than being a one-time transaction, marriage becomes a recurring social milestone worth sharing.

Beyond weddings, the Sakura Vows update transforms Prontera into a cherry blossom festival setting, introducing seasonal immersion and several cooperative features designed to strengthen player interaction. Highlights include the Out Loud Confession system, the duo-based Rainbow Covenant quest, and the personality-driven MBTI Oracle matchmaking feature, which adds a playful layer to in-game relationships. Players who participate in events and maintain a 15-day login streak can also earn exclusive cosmetics such as the Sakura Headwear.

Looking ahead, additional content continues to expand the experience. The upcoming Love Potion matchmaking feature and the PvE challenge Sakura Spirit promise ongoing engagement throughout the event period.

More than just a content patch, Sakura Vows represents a philosophy in action. Through transparent communication from producer Big Kitty and consistent player feedback integration, ROOC demonstrates that its player-first design approach is not marketing—it’s part of the game’s identity. As cherry blossoms fall across Prontera, the update invites players to build stories that are meaningful, shared, and entirely their own. 

Vivo V70 FE’s 200MP Camera Lets You Capture Once and Create More

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — There’s a common challenge in mobile photography: you take what seems like the perfect shot, only to realize later that the most interesting detail was too small or too far away to highlight. With the Vivo V70 FE, that limitation becomes a thing of the past.

Equipped with a powerful 200MP OIS Ultra-Clear Main Camera, the Vivo V70 FE allows users to capture a full scene in a single shot and refine their composition afterward—without sacrificing image quality. Unlike traditional smartphone cameras that lose clarity when zooming or cropping, this ultra-high-resolution sensor preserves fine details even at up to 900% enlargement.

This capability transforms the way users approach photography. A single wide-angle photo can easily become multiple high-quality images—from mid-range crops to close-up shots—giving creators more flexibility without the need to retake photos.

One of the biggest advantages of the 200MP camera is its exceptional detail retention. Even when zoomed in significantly, textures on flowers, facial details in portraits, or distant architectural elements remain sharp and visible. This makes the Vivo V70 FE especially useful for travelers, content creators, and everyday users who want reliable clarity in every frame.

Another key benefit is ultra-clear photo cropping. Instead of worrying about perfect framing during the initial shot, users can simply capture the moment and adjust later. With 200MP resolution, a single image can produce multiple compositions—wide, mid, or close-up—without noticeable loss of quality.

The camera also delivers impressive results for printing. Photos taken in 200MP mode can be printed up to four times larger than standard 50MP images while maintaining excellent clarity. This makes the Vivo V70 FE ideal for preserving important memories in high-quality physical formats.

Activating the 200MP feature is simple. Just open Photo Mode, tap the High Resolution icon, and start shooting. For best results, users should shoot portraits within about 5 meters and landscapes or buildings from about 20 meters away. Using the main camera at 1x zoom (23 mm) also helps maximize image sharpness.

More than just sharper photos, the Vivo V70 FE’s 200MP camera offers creative freedom. Users can capture moments confidently, knowing they can crop, zoom, and refine later without losing detail.

The Vivo V70 FE is available for pre-order at a starting price of Php 25,999 until April 24 in Vivo stores nationwide, with exclusive perks including a Php 1,000 discount, a Vivo VIP Card, Vivo Buds Air3, and a Globe prepaid SIM with one year of unlimited 5G access. It is also available on Shopee for as low as Php 22,000 until April 25, 2026.

Here’s How You Can Be Part of the Garmin Run Marathon Series in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Manila officially joins the Garmin Run Marathon Series, the flagship global marathon circuit of Garmin. Happening all over the world and built on international race standards, the series brings a more elevated, world-class race experience with a chance to be part of achieving a milestone.

Bringing together elite athletes and passionate young runners, the Garmin Run Marathon Series spans major running communities in Asia, including Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Japan, while also expanding to three cities in the United States this 2026. The mechanic is simple: runners who complete any 10 races across these key participating cities that are a part of the Garmin Run Marathon Series by 2027 will qualify for an exclusive, limited-edition 18K gold-plated medal – a reward that reflects commitment across multiple finish lines.

Designed by runners for runners, the Garmin Run Marathon Series welcomes participants of all levels, from first-time 5K runners to experienced athletes pursuing new personal bests. Guided by Garmin’s belief that running isn’t a competition but an opportunity to celebrate wellness, progress, and community.

The Manila leg of the Garmin Run Marathon Series will take place at Garmin Run Philippines on October 25, 2026, at the SM MOA Complex in Pasay City. The annual run once again invites all types of runners – those new to the sport, those taking on new distances, and those who simply run for the love of it.

Gun starts at 2AM to ensure optimal race conditions. Runners can choose from three categories: 21K (PHP 2,550), 10K (PHP 1,850), and 5K (PHP 1,550). Finishers who complete their respective race category within a required time will receive an electronic certificate of achievement, a completion medal, and special gifts from Garmin and its partners. Runners’ times and performance will be managed by MYLAPS to provide accurate, professional-grade tracking.

Leading up to the Garmin Run Philippines, runners can join the Garmin Run Club’s “Baseline to Finish Line” program, a structured year-long journey centered on personal progress and key milestones. Runners establish a baseline, then track improvement across 5K, 10K, and 21K distances through coached training as they measure fitness improvement leading up to the Garmin Run as the finish line. As they train, they also utilize Garmin data insights to help them track progress, growth, and personal improvement.

The Garmin Run Marathon Series is sponsored by STARLUX Airlines, Shokz, and Ajinomoto’s Amino VITAL®, Japan’s No. 1 sports amino acid supplement brand. Registration for the Garmin Run Philippines is now open until August 31, 2026, on the official website.

Stay Connected with the Global Running Community with the Garmin Run Virtual Challenge

From June to August, the Garmin Run Virtual Challenge extends the series beyond the racecourse. This virtual challenge lets participants stay active, track their progress, and connect with the global running community – even when they can’t be physically present on race day. With exciting prizes available, it’s a great way for runners to challenge themselves while competing in virtual environments or tracking indoor runs for organized Garmin virtual races, all through the Garmin app and their Garmin smartwatches. Full mechanics for the Virtual Challenge will be announced soon.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives, and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday.

Skincare Powerhouse Brand Dermorepubliq Wins Gold at 2026 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for Viral Billboard Campaign

Manila, Philippines — Dermorepubliq, TikTok Philippines’ leading science-based skincare brand, has achieved a historic milestone by clinching a Gold Stevie at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for its high-impact PR, influencer, and billboard campaign, “The breakup that went viral by Dermorepubliq.”

The campaign stood as the sole winner in the Innovation in the “Use of Viral Media or Word of Mouth” category, recognized for its masterful use of stealth marketing to cut through a saturated skincare market. This was amplified through a strategic communications program managed by its PR agency, Uniquecorn Strategies.

“Dermorepubliq was built on a simple but uncompromising belief: science-based skincare that works,” said Keith Sta. Barbara, CEO and Founder of Dermorepubliq. “This campaign brought that promise to life in a way that felt real to people before they even knew our name.”

Instead of traditional advertising, Dermorepubliq utilized stealth marketing to spark nationwide curiosity. The campaign launched with a cryptic, unbranded billboard: “‘Wag na tayo mag break please. Love, D.” By tapping into the cultural fascination with celebrity breakups, the message served as a clever double entendre for skin breakouts—the very concern Dermorepubliq’s science-based formulas are designed to address.

As Dermorepubliq's PR partner, Uniquecorn Strategies managed the narrative, translating organic intrigue into a massive earned media event. The PR effort was executed in two phases to ensure maximum media impact. First, the Tease leveraged viral speculation to secure 42 earned stories and over 60 million influencer video views. This was followed by the Reveal, which officially linked the “breakup” to “breakouts,” triggering a second wave of 43 earned media stories.

The campaign achieved a staggering 200 million in combined online reach and 100 million total video views. Through 93 earned media stories facilitated by Uniquecorn, the brand generated an estimated USD 4.5 million in PR value, successfully cementing its transition from a digital-first brand to a formidable mainstream retail contender.

“This recognition affirms that an effective PR strategy can transform a bold, creative idea into a cultural moment,” said Dean Bernales, CEO and Founder of Uniquecorn Strategies. “Our role was to ensure that the intrigue generated by the billboard was met with a clear, engaging narrative that resonated with the media and the public alike. We are proud to have partnered with Dermorepubliq to help them emerge as a homegrown brand that can rival the country’s largest conglomerates.”

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards is one of the most prestigious business awards programs in the region, drawing entries from leading corporations, institutions, and agencies across Asia-Pacific. It recognizes business innovation and excellence across the region, with entries judged by an independent panel of industry professionals.

Dermorepubliq’s win is a notable feat for a homegrown brand, as it competed alongside the Philippines’ largest conglomerates in this year’s contingent, such as SM Supermalls, Ayala Corporation, and San Miguel Corporation.

With Dermorepubliq products available in Watsons’ online store and select physical branches across Metro Manila, this milestone marks the brand’s expansion from an e-commerce powerhouse into a formidable mainstream retail presence via one of the country's leading health and beauty retail chains.

“When the public chooses to carry your story, it is the strongest proof that what you stand for resonates,” Sta. Barbara said. “Now with our products available at Watsons, this Gold Stevie award is both a proud milestone and a powerful reminder of why we do what we do — to bring science-based skincare that truly performs to every Filipino.”

Beyond Watsons, Dermorepubliq products are available on TikTok Shop, Shopee, Lazada, and at its official website, www.dermorepubliq.com.